As hot-air ballooning has skyrocketed in popularity--the number of
registered balloons has doubled in the past five years-- the number of
festivals where balloonists test their skills has also increased. With
its usually benign weather so critical to balloon flight, late summer is
the best time for these festivals.

The sight of dozens of colorful craft-- rising at dawn like giant
dandelion puffs, their envelopes slowly filling and breaking free of the
earth--can thrill even veteran sports spectators.

Most ballooning events take place early in the day, when winds are
most gentle and skies are clear. Fog, heavy clouds, or winds more than
10 mph will postpone a hot-air balloon event, so it's wise to call
ahead. If you arrive around dawn, some pilots may let you help spread
the envelope so it can fill.

One event you may see is a hare-and-hounds race, in which the
"hare' takes off ahead of a chasing pack of "hound'
balloons. Another is a key grab, in which pilots try to maneuver their
craft close enough to a high pole so they can grab the keys of a new car
(winner gets the car).

Here are three of the biggest festivals in August and September.
(The granddaddy of all is Albuquerque's International Baloon
Fiesta, to be held this year October 6 to 14; see the October 1982
Sunset.)

Napa, California, August 4. Hare-and-hounds races will highlight
the Balloon Festival during the Napa Town and Country Fair, to be held
August 1 through 5 at the Napa District Fair Grounds. On Saturday,
about 15 craft piloted by professional balloonists will begin racing at
7:30 A.M. Admission to the viewing area is free. Some balloons will
take passengers along on the race for a fee of $125.

(Balloonists don't have total control over where they land,
and sometimes must drop down on private property. In heavily developed
agricultural areas such as the Napa Valley, this occasionally causes
damage to crops.)

For reservations or to check the weather (wind may postpone or
cancel the meet), call (707) 252-7067. For information on balloon
companies in the area, call 253-2255. The fairgrounds are on State
Highway 121 near Third Street.

Reno, September 7 to 9. A hundred balloons are expected to fill
the sky during the Great Reno Balloon Race. Held at Rancho San Rafael county park at the north end of town, the festival will run from 7 A.M.
to noon each day, with pilots going for $10,000 in prizes in
hare-and-hounds and key-grab events. Admission is free; food booths and
exhibits will be open.

From Interstate 80, take the Keystone Avenue exit north; go east on
Seventh Street, north on Washington Street. For weather information,
call (702) 788-3025.

Park City, Utah, September 14 to 16. The Autumn Aloft Hot Air
Balloon Festival will take over the Park City Golf Course from 6 A.M. to
noon each day. About 25 balloons are expected to compete in multitarget
hare-and-hounds races. The festival will also have food booths and
displays of model airplanes, hang gliders, and ultralights. Admission
is free.

For weather information, call (801) 645-7000. The event coincides
with the city's 100th birthday celebration, including music, art
shows, and more; for a list of events, call toll-free (800) 453-1360.

Park City is about a 45-minute drive east of Salt Lake City; take
Interstate 80 east, then State 248 south to town and follow signs to the
balloon fest.